276 
THE FERN PARADISE. 
to a strand that would have been inaccessible 
at high tide. On our right the river bank 
shelved in, and formed a sort of overhanging 
projection, crowned with large shrubs, and 
sheltered by trees rising on the high ground 
above. On the soft red sandstone rock, and 
just above high-water level, we came upon a 
number of tufts of Aspleniuni marinnm. It 
was a matter of considerable difficulty to get 
them out intact. The roots were positively 
imbedded in the solid rock ; and it was only 
by dint of persevering labour with a chisel that 
we at length succeeded, by chipping away the 
surrounding rock, in getting out our plants 
entire. We carefully preserved our specimens ; 
and we have them now, green and vigorous, 
in our glass case. 
The Sea Spleenwort will rarely be found to 
grow, it is said, on the open rockery, away 
from the sea, as it needs the sea air. But in 
a glass case it will grow luxuriantly. It should 
be planted between fragments of rock — red sand- 
stone if possible — in soil composed of sandy leaf- 
